Preparing for Death (Part 1)

All praise is due to Allāh, Lord of all worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon the noblest of His creation, our Prophet Muḥammad, and upon his family and companions. To proceed: Death is a certainty from which no soul can escape, and it may come without warning or delay. The wise believer, therefore, prepares for it through knowledge, righteous deeds, and constant remembrance of the Hereafter. In this series, we seek—by Allāh’s permission—to clarify some of the essential rulings and etiquettes related to death and what follows it, presented in a clear and concise question-and-answer format. May Allāh make this effort a means of benefit for Islam and the Muslims, and a reminder that brings hearts closer to obedience and steadfastness upon the truth. -------- Question: What are the prescribed actions for those who are present when a person is at the point of death? Answer: It is recommended for those who are present to observe the following etiquettes and practices: 1⃣. Speak only words of goodness in their presence. The Prophet ﷺ said: “When you are in the presence of a sick or dying person, say good things, for the angels affirm what you say.” Thus, one should avoid unnecessary talk and ensure that only words of remembrance, supplication, and encouragement are spoken. 2⃣. Gently prompt the dying person to say ‘Lā ilāha illā Allāh’ (There is no deity worthy of worship except Allāh). The Prophet ﷺ said: “Prompt your dying ones to say: ‘Lā ilāha illā Allāh.’” [Muslim] The scholars have differed regarding whether the dying person should be directly instructed to say it or whether it should merely be mentioned near them so that they hear it and repeat it themselves. The most balanced view, and the one favoured by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymīn (may Allāh have mercy on him), provides a detailed distinction: A) If the sick person is strong enough to bear it, or if they are a disbeliever, they should be directly told to say Lā ilāha illā Allāh. B) If, however, the person is a weak Muslim, they should not be commanded directly; rather, one should mention the phrase nearby so that they hear it and remember. This is because a direct command at such a sensitive time may distress or upset the dying person, causing them to turn away or respond negatively in their final moments. 3⃣. After the soul departs, close the eyes of the deceased and supplicate for them. This was the practice of the Prophet ﷺ with Abū Salamah (may Allāh be pleased with him). In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, it is narrated that the Prophet ﷺ entered upon Abū Salamah after he had passed away and his eyes were open, so he closed them and said: (( اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لأَبِي سَلَمَةَ، وَارْفَعْ دَرَجَتَهُ في المَهْدِيِّينَ، وَاخْلُفْهُ في عَقِبِهِ في الغَابِرِينَ، وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلَهُ يا رَبَّ العَالَمِينَ، وَافْسَحْ له في قَبْرِهِ، وَنَوِّرْ له فِيهِ)) “O Allāh, forgive Abū Salamah, raise his rank among the rightly guided, and grant succession among his descendants who remain. O Lord of the Worlds, forgive us and him, expand his grave, and illuminate it for him.” 4⃣. Cover the deceased with a cloth that conceals the entire body. This is based on the narration of ‘Ā’ishah (may Allāh be pleased with her) reported in Al-Bukhārī and Muslim, that when the Prophet ﷺ passed away, he was covered with a striped Yemeni cloak (ḥibrah). 5⃣. Hasten to settle the debts of the deceased from their own wealth, even if it exhausts all of it. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The soul of the believer remains suspended because of his debt.” Meaning that the soul of the believer is withheld from attaining its full honour and station until the debt is repaid. These are among the actions prescribed for those who are present at the death of a Muslim. And Allāh knows best.